WWE Raw Wrapup 8/13/2012

A week out from Summerslam and John Cena is the only man in the WWE Title match who hasn't stood tall to end an episode of Raw.  I wonder how tonight will end?

Match 1:  CM Punk (WWE Champion) vs Big Show, non-title
Winner: CM Punk via dq (unannounced)

A match to open Raw?  Nice change of pace.  Of course, the WWE Champion jerks the curtain yet again, but at this point it's more of a storyline ploy than just stupid booking, so it gets a pass.  Show opens with power, but Punk aggressively fights back.  Kicks to the midsection are stopped with a Big Show headbutt and the onslaught continues.  Show chokes Punk in the ropes then delivers a frying pan chop to the chest.  Punk runs into a shoulder block and then Big Show stands on his back.  Now on the head.  Once more to the frying pan chop and the WWE Champion is left helpless on his knees.  Show palms Punk's face, but he stomps at the giant's feet and lands a dropkick.  Show goes right back on the attack with a big scoop slam.  As Punk begins to rise, Big Show attacks his arm, then steps on his back once more.  Off the ropes, Punk kicks Show in the face, then the legs.  Now the WWE Champion tries a trio of clotheslines and a whip to the corner, but Show reverses.  Punk dodges the follow up and lands a knee in the corner, but gets shoved off from the bulldog.  Show follows with a spear, leaving both me on the floor.

Daniel Bryan's music hits and he NOs his way toward the ring.  Bryan demands to be included in the WWE Title match at Summerslam as Big Show hits a sideslam for two.  Big Show heads to the middle rope, but Punk kicks his leg out from under him, then springboards in with a clothesline for two.  Bryan hits the ring and attacks Punk, putting him in the No!lock.  Big Show drops an elbow on the prone WWE Champion and John Cena hits the ring, clotheslining Show over the top, then back dropping Bryan to the floor.  The chaos draws AJ out, and she skips to the ring, which now looks ridiculous, as she's an authority figure.

Later tonight, Bryan will make up for ruining this match by teaming up with Big Show to take on Cena and Punk.  AJ Lee just Teddy Long'd the bejeezus out of us.

Nice to see a match to open the show, but since it involved people in the WWE Title match at a PPV, we get a non-finish because nobody in WWE is ever allowed to lose clean before they head into any major match.  When this used to happen occasionally, it wasn't so bad, but it's a painful standard at this point.

JTG is in the back with Kaitlyn complaining that even on a 3 hour Raw, he can't get on TV.  He says it's crazy as AJ skips by.  AJ snaps back in and asks if JTG has a problem with the job she's doing.  AJ tells him to head to the ring, as she's about to find him an opponent.  AJ asks Kaitlyn if she thinks she's unstable.  Kaitlyn says no, but there are many other words she could think of to describe her.  AJ puts on her inquisitive puppy face, so I assume some shenanigans are heading Kaitlyn's way.

Match 2:  JTG vs Ryback
Winner:  Ryback via pinfall

This is why you don't cross the boss.  Ryback's music has been remixed to include "Feed me more" on a loop.  Ryback once again has a pink-eye situation.   JTG ties up with Ryback and gets inverted as he pushes him off.  JTG yells "I better not get pinkeye" and kicks at Ryback, then strikes his face, but runs into a huge belly to belly suplex as he yells "My turn!".  JTG runs into the pinning boot to the throat and gets slammed into the mat.  Ryback takes JTG up for an over the shoulder powerbomb.  The crowd is hugely into the "feed me more" chant as Ryback warms up a lariat and connects.  Ryback calls for the finish and lands Shellshocked.

Personally not a fan of the remix of the music; it sounds like an awful fan-mix.  The vocals in the ring from both men were good for a laugh, and are something that's sorely missing from most wrestlers now a days.  The crowd runs the gamut of chanting "Goldberg" at Ryback, but then loves the "Feed me more" bit.  Everyone hates everything.  Fun squash match.

Via Twitter, fans will vote for Rowdy Roddy Piper's guest - The Miz, Chris Jericho or Dolph Ziggler.  This isn't good use of the whole Raw-action thing, but at least it's relatively non-invasive.

Roddy Piper is talking like his typical mad man self and the camera pans over to Shawn Michaels.  Piper says he'd be intimidated if he had to fight Brock Lesnar too; HBK says he's not fighting Lesnar.  Shawn gets a phone call, apparently from HHH, and says he needs to be there, because it's not his fight.  Michaels is visibly distraught.

Heath Slater is in the ring saying that tonight things change.  He's going to turn it all around and...out comes R-Truth, with Little Jimmy in tow.  Didn't Bryan placekick him clear over the ropes a week or two ago?  Kid recovers fast!

Match 3:  Heath Slater vs R-Truth (One half of WWE Tag Team Champions)
Winner:  R-Truth via pinfall

Slater backs Truth into a corner, but Truth slips out and kicks away at the one man band.  Truth delivers a huge hip toss off the ropes and wants his dancing leg drop, but Slater rolls away.  Slater fights out of the corner and hits a neckbreaker for one.  Slater stays on the attack with kicks to the midsection and now the first chinlock of Raw.  Truth fights to his feet immediately and then dodges out of the corner, landing a clothesline.  Now another, and right into the Little Jimmy for the finish.

I still can't fathom them calling his finisher The Little Jimmy.  The Primetime Players, sans the now-released AW hit the ring to attack half of their opponents for Summerslam.  Young and O'Neil strike away at Truth, who gets thrown into the Clash of the Titus.  Good to see that they're sticking with the same gimmick, motions, bravado - No need to ruin a good tag team because the manager they were associated with got 86'd.  Michael Cole runs most of the verbiage that AW would have anyway.  Nothing much lost, but it wouldn't hurt getting them a mouth piece moving forward, especially if they capture the tag titles on Sunday.

Pauly D is the Social Media Ambassador for Raw tonight.  This means absolutely nothing and is an utter waste of everyone's time.

Match 4:  Sin Cara vs Tensai
Winner:  Sin Cara via pinfall

As usual, Tensai shoves Sakamoto out of the way on his way to the ring.  Tensai opens strong and goes right for a powerbomb.  Sin Cara tries a hurricanrana, but Tensai pulls him back up.  Cara goes over for a sunset flip, but Tensai powers through.  Tensai tries a Vader Bomb but misses.  Sin Cara lands a swanton bomb then delivers an enzuigiri to Sakamoto on the apron, then La Mistica to Tensai, who runs into Sakamoto, then gets hit with a tornado DDT from Cara for the win.  Tensai takes it out on Sakamoto with a choke bomb and senton.

Piper's Pit

Piper goes on a nutty tirade about Ziggler, Jericho and Miz's current goings-on.  And the WWE Universe has selected...Chris Jericho.

Piper and Jericho have a back and forth about the last time they saw one another, which Piper claims to not remember.  Jericho says he's excited to be in Piper's Pit.  Piper says they have something in common; the fans cheer them for no reason.  Piper puts over Jericho and Vickie Guerrero comes out shrieking.  Piper asks what the sound is and Ziggler is introduced.  Ziggler runs down Piper and all three men talk all over each other.  Ziggler says Jericho is on his way to being a failed old man like Piper.  Ziggler continues the verbiage that Jericho can't get the job done anymore, and after Sunday, Jericho should hang the lite-brite jacket with Piper's kilt.  Jericho mocks Ziggler's spaghetti hair and Vickie stands up for him, then is promptly told to "Shut...the hell...UP".  Y2J continues and tells all the Jerichoholics that he will beat Ziggler, drawing The Miz out.  Piper is awkwardly chanting "Y2J" during Miz's entrance.  Miz runs the "really?" bit and says that he and Ziggler can win the big ones.  Ziggler won MITB and Miz is the Intercontinental Champion.  Miz says he's taking over the show and would like Ziggler to be his guest; he tells Piper and Jericho to get the hell out of the ring.

Piper yells "no" at Miz a few times and Jericho attacks.  He tosses Miz out and clotheslines Ziggler to the floor.  I think Piper forgot that "No no no" is someone else's catchphrase, aside from the fact that he was all over everyone else on the mic.  He's just not as sharp as he used to be and it's really starting to show everytime they cart Piper out in front of everyone.  Once again, the social media Raw-Action poll meant nothing - All three choices came out, just like they planned from the beginning.  People must be picking up on this already.

Match 5:  Chris Jericho vs The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler
Winner:  Dolph Ziggler via pinfall

AJ set this match up during the commercial.  Miz and Ziggler set their sights on Jericho, who quickly gets overwhelmed.  Jericho fights back and delivers a belly to back suplex to Miz and a dropkick to Ziggler.  AJ has stated that Miz will defend the IC title against Rey Mysterio on Sunday.  Jericho lands a big vertical suplex on Miz but only gets a one.  Miz takes a chop to the chest that levels him.  Jericho hits the ropes and Ziggler sweeps his leg from the floor.  Back into the ring, Ziggler stomps away at Jericho and Miz joins in.  Miz holds Jericho up and Ziggler lands a punch to the gut.  Now Miz's turn to deliver a kick.  Miz chokes Jericho in the ropes and Ziggler distracts the ref, but triple threats are no-dq so it doesn't matter much.  Miz and Ziggler deliver a double suplex to Jericho.  Ziggler lands his jumping elbow twice on Jericho and pins him, but Miz breaks it up.  Jericho fights back in the interim and sends Miz over the top, then backdrops Ziggler right after him.  Jericho lands a plancha on both men then celebrates on top of the commentary table.  Jericho pulls the top of the table off and throws it on both opponents.

Jericho rolls Ziggler back in and kicks Miz on the floor; Ziggler capitalizes and shoulder blocks Jericho off the apron into the commentary table.  With all this action on the floor, it's of course time for a commercial...Back to action, Miz has Jericho in a chinlock and Ziggler is on the floor.  Jericho fights up to his feet and elbows out, but runs into a knee to the midsection.  Miz chokes Jericho with his boot.  Miz stomps Ziggler back out of the ring and goes for a cover on Jericho, but only gets a two count.  Miz jumps on Jericho's back and tells him to get up, then does it again.  Miz settles into a camel clutch and Jericho fights to his feet again; Miz whips him to the corner and misses on his corner clothesline.  Jericho with a pair of shoulder blocks and a triangle dropkick to Ziggler on the apron.  Jericho hits a bulldog on Miz and then lands the Lionsault.  Ziggler is in to interrupt the pin attempt.  Jericho back drops Miz over the top and Miz gets crotched.  Now from the apron, Jericho pulls Miz to the top and Ziggler rushes in for a tower of doom superplex/powerbomb.  Miz rolls to the floor and Ziggler slowly covers Jericho, who counters into a crucifix for two.  Ziggler lands a Fameasser but Jericho kicks out at two.  Ziggler stalks Jericho, but Miz sneaks in and hits the Skull Crushing Finale.  Jericho breaks up the pin and then counters Miz's attack, wanting the Walls of Jericho, but Miz twists out.  Ziggler attacks Miz and Jericho hits a Codebreaker, but all three men are down.  Jericho crawls over for a cover and Vickie reaches in and puts Ziggler's foot on the ropes.  The ref stops counting and Michael Cole reminds us that there are no DQs, so why does it matter.  Jericho counters a pin from Miz and ends up with the Walls of Jericho.  Vickie interferes so that the ref doesn't see Miz tapping and Ziggler hits the Zigzag for the win.

That was a fun triple threat.  Heel shenanigans, the face set up for revenge at the PPV and altogether good action.  Ziggler should hit the ZigZag like this everytime; grabbing the neck first then jumping.  That way it looks like an elevated russian leg sweep each time.

CM Punk is stretching in the back and Eve approaches him, congratulating him on his new attitude..  Punk says he's not wearing a black hat or twirling a mustache.  Eve says nobody believes that, especially Cena.  Punk says he'll go talk to him now.  Eve just randomly gets inserted where convenient, it seems.


Shawn Michaels is tentatively walking around the backstage area.  Cena taps him on the shoulder and he jumps.  Michaels says he's distracted and walks off.  CM Punk approaches John Cena and jaws at him for calling him "that guy" last week.  Being the champion means everything to Punk; he won't stab anyone in the back.  He'll leave Summerslam the WWE Champion and make sure that at the end of the night it's all about him.

A vignette for the return of Wade Barrett plays; Barrett plays up leaving the streets for an easier life.  The Barrett Barrage returns soon.

Match 6:  Layla (Diva's Champion) and Kaitlyn vs Eve and Beth Phoenix
Winners:  Layla and Kaitlyn via pinfall

Beth and Layla start off and Beth gorilla presses the Diva's champ.  Layla tries a sunset flip to counter and almost falls, leading to an awkward pin.  Eve tags in and lays into Layla who tries her new pinning combo, but misses that one too.  Layla hits the double spring cross body, then tries a headlock, which she manages to pull off.  Layla dances and hits Eve in the face with her ass.  Eve gets distracted by Kaitlyn and turns around into a clothesline.  Kaitlyn tags in and hits a backbreaker on Eve.  Kaitlyn hops to the middle rope, but eve pulls her leg out from under her then pounds her on the mat.  Phoenix tags in and keeps the pressure on Kaitlyn.  Kaitlyn is whipped into the enemy corner and Phoenix knocks Layla off the apron, which lets the heels double team Kaitlyn.  Phoenix rushes Kaitlyn, who gets a boot up.  Kaitlyn fights out of a Glamslam attempt and rolls up the Glamzaon for the win.  Layla's music plays.

That was altogether bad.  Layla was way off; she's usually much better than what we saw tonight.  Kaitlyn is at least as good and consistent as any of the "main roster" Divas, if not better; she should be showcased moving forward.

Match 7:  Big Show and Daniel Bryan vs John Cena and CM Punk (WWE Champion)
Winners:  CM Punk and John Cena via pinfall

Punk gets two matches in one show and still doesn't main event; he should definitely have something to say about that.  Bryan's entrance is entirely different with the new NO gimmick, just in time to make WWE 13 look out of date.  Forget not main eventing; Punk doesn't even get to make his entrance last.  Big mixed reaction for Cena tonight.  Punk sarcastically claps with one hand while he holds the WWE Title in the other.

Cena and Bryan open up and Cena grabs a headlock, then runs Bryan over.  Punk tags himself in and Show wants in, but Bryan says he'll stay in, wanting to earn a spot in the WWE Title match on Sunday.  Punk's turn for a headlock and a takeover, but Bryan is quickly to his feet; he takes another shoulder block, then a hip toss.  Cena tags himself back in as Punk nears his own corner.  Show demands a tag, prompting a Yes/No argument between himself and Bryan.  Cena hits a hip toss and a dropkick on Bryan.  Punk tries to tag himself in, but can't reach; Show tags in on the other side and attacks Cena.  Show sends Cena into the corner and Cena has his hands up for the front bump before he hits the turnbuckle.  Cena tries to fight back with a jumping shoulder, but Show deflects him.  That's enough for a commercial for now...

Back in, Big Show is still in charge.  Show hits a running ass to the corner on Cena, who ends up running into a bearhug.  Bryan tags himself in and says this is about him.  Bryan readies for the corner dropkick and misses, bouncing clear off the turnbuckle.  Punk tags himself in as Cena rolls to his corner and lands a springboard clothesline and swinging neckbreaker, but Show breaks up the pin.  Bryan drags Punk to his corner and Show tags in, then picks up the WWE Champ, just to slam him back down.  Show with a big body shot, leaving Punk a crumpled mess on the mat.  Show shushes the crowd then slaps Punk's chest.  Punk fights back and hits the ropes, but runs into a bearhug.  Punk elbows out, but runs into a back body drop.  Show plants a boot in the back of Punk and steps on him.  Punk fights back up but gets scoop slammed.  Show cocks the WMD, but Bryan tags himself in.  Show is done; he hops off the apron and takes a seat.  Bryan kicks away at Punk, but misses the headkick; Punk throws a roundhouse and knocks Bryan to the mat.  Punk sees Cena wanting a tag, after being off the apron earlier.  Punk hits two shoulders and a spin out bomb on Bryan, then calls for the Five Knuckle Shuffle.  Off the ropes, Cena tags himself in and hits a running corner knee and bulldog.  Punk grabs the WWE Title and hits the road.  Bryan rolls up Cena, who kicks out, hits an Attitude Adjustment out of nowhere and wins.

If that were ANY other face on the planet in the wrestling business, he would have been pinned by the heel Daniel Bryan.  But no, John Cena cannot possibly suffer a loss, even via a cheap rollup.  Sickening.  WWE absolutely must let go of this "everyone is protected" garbage they pull.  Show goes after Cena and Punk clobbers him with the WWE Title.  Punk offers a handshake to Cena, who is tentative - Punk says "Maybe you're that guy" and storms out.  The heat between the three men is still there, but Cena wouldn't have lost anything at all suffering a roll up loss to Daniel Bryan.

Punk is interviewed in the back and explains:  John Cena went into business for himself.  Punk says the lack of a handshake is the ultimate sign of disrespect where he comes from.  He plans to teach everyone about respect come Summerslam. 

Brock Lesnar is shown in the back with Paul Heyman.

Match 8:  Damien Sandow vs Christian
Winner:  Damien Sandow via pinfall

Sandow opens aggressively in the corner, then lands a russian leg sweep.  Sandow with his elbow drop for a two count.  Into the corner again, but Christian fights out this time and lands slaps and a forearm.  Christian leapfrogs to the floor for another slap then hits a second rope European uppercut.  Christian calls for the Killswitch early and Sandow bails to the floor, then throws Christian into the steel steps multiple times.  Back into the ring and Brodus Clay's music hits.  Clay halfheartedly dances with his injured leg.  Christian cradles Sandow for two and Sandow hits his Crossarm Neckbreaker out of nowhere for the win.

Winning with his finisher after a distraction meant for him?  That a huge thumbs up for Sandow from the guys in the back.  Gotta say, there are a lot of guys that get away with going toward the ring mid-match with their music playing.  Shouldn't the GMs be upset about this?  And why do the production truck guys play anyone's music who asks?

Shawn Michaels is still in the back and comes face to face with Brock Lesnar.  HBK immediately backs off, which puts a smile on Lesnar's face. 

Back from a commercial and a recap of last week's Raw, Brock Lesnar's music hits, bringing he and Paul Heyman out for the contract signing for the Summerslam match.  Heyman reminds the crowd that he is the advocate for Lesnar.  At Summerslam, WWE's dignity is on the line and in the hands of HHH.  Heyman calls Lesnar a "fighter with ultimate credentials" to skirt around mentioning UFC directly.  HHH has flight delays, keeping him from the contract signing.  Heyman has the contract in hand to indemnify Lesnar from what happens to HHH on Sunday.  Heyman says on Sunday it will be a beating, not a wrestling match.  HHH will suffer.

Last week, Heyman continues, Shawn Michaels disagreed about Lesnar winning at Summerslam.  Heyman calls HBK out to tell Lesnar to his face that he doesn't think he'll win.  Heyman says there's no shame in being frightened of Lesnar, then continues that everyone from Texas has a yellow streak up their spine...This is enough to draw the Heartbreak Kid out.  Heyman insists that Michaels signs the contract on HHH's behalf.  Michaels stares Lesnar down just long enough for HHH's music to hit and The Game makes his entrance, shedding his tie and suit jacket before he even makes it to the ring.  HHH keeps an eye on Lesnar as he signs the contract.  Heyman screams at Lesnar that this is just a contract signing.  Lesnar signs and throws the clipboard at HHH, then immediately bails to the floor.  Lesnar taunts HHH, but heads toward the back.

HBK and HHH are in the back and Michaels tells HHH that Lesnar is unlike anyone they've faced before.  Michaels says that HHH needs to beat Lesnar on his own, even with him in the corner.  Seems like Michaels is outright saying he won't get physically involved at Summerslam.

Big Show is tracked down by Matt Striker - Show says that a cheap shot won't change anything for Summerslam.  Car horns honk and Striker switches his attention in that direction.  Heyman has put his car in the way of HBK's.  Lesnar rushes HBK and pulls him out of the window, knocking the camera man (and the camera) out in the process.  With a black screen, we hear Heyman yell "Tell HHH!  Tell HHH!" and thuds that sound like a pipe or other blunt weapon landing blows to HBK.  Without the picture restoring, we cut to presumably the final commercial of the night.  Back to the show, Michaels is missing and his car's windshield is shattered.  Heyman's car is still against Michaels' and HHH yells for everyone in the area to tell him what happened.  AJ says that Lesnar dragged him away.  Lesnar appears back in the arena and has HBK in a fireman's carry.  He dumps him in the ring and follows.  HBK is selling his back and wobbly legs.  Lesnar lifts him and delivers an F5.  Lesnar stalks around him as the crowd calls for HHH.  Michaels tries to fight to his feet, using Lesnar to pick himself up.  Lesnar locks in the Kimura and HHH heads toward the ring.  Heyman says if HHH gets any closer, Lesnar will break the arm.  HHH is obviously distraught; Lesnar breaks the arm anyway.  Heyman sells disbelief that Lesnar did this; even he seems upset with the actions of his client.  The show ends with Lesnar and HHH jawing at a distance.

This would be FAR more dramatic if Lesnar hadn't done the exact same thing to HHH recently and HHH returned weeks later all better.  We all thought it was ridiculous at the time; now it seems even more so as they ruined their own potential drama.  I guess the excuse is Michaels is "retired" which automatically makes him weak...or something.

On the whole, a good episode of Raw.  They saved the vast majority of the "non-wrestling" stuff for the end of the show, which allowed a rapid fire series of matches that were for the most part entertaining.  Once again the WWE Champion doesn't headline; twice in one night.  Punk's attitude is slowly getting worse and worse, which is entirely sensible in terms of the current storyline.  Cena and Show are both gunning for him, as well as each other, which might let Punk beat the odds and retain through the triple threat at Summerslam.  Ziggler/Jericho has all the potential to be a show stealer just by virtue of the combatants.  The Divas match was less than stellar; we're trained to not expect a five star match from them, but Layla was definitely having an off night.  Normally, the "go home" Raw is hit or miss; for Summerslam, it's far and away a hit.  The last half hour was dedicated to creating a USA network drama to get the ire up against Brock Lesnar, but all things considered it could have been worse.  I just wish they hadn't done the exact same bit with HHH's arm so recently. 

 Smackdown this Friday and Summerslam on Sunday - What are your predictions?

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The Dark Knight Rises Review

Maybe you just got back from seeing the Dark Knight Rises. Maybe you're waiting for sales to go down. Perhaps you're waiting for the DVD release. Whatever the case may be, you know one thing- The Dark Knight Rises is a movie for you.

Like the first two installments, Batman Begins & The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan takes us to the final chapter of the Dark Knight Trilogy, this time for a whopping 165-minute finisher! We're about to take a look at many aspects of the movie, including previous tie-ins, plots, reveals, and some character bios. Naturally, there will be spoilers, so if you want to find out anything on your own, don't continue reading.

Let's start with the basic plot- Batman is no more. Bruce Wayne has given up the cowl, and isolates himself from society while his business crumbles. Bane, a monstrous being, takes over the city's crime from the sewers. After many threats to the city, Batman resurfaces to stop the new threat to Gotham City. Batman enlists the help of a local cat burglar to find Bane, but is tricked into to being cornered by him instead. Batman tries to fight but is severely beaten by Bane and thrown into a prison underground. Bane threatens the city with a nuclear bomb, having trapped the entirety of the police force in the enclosed sewers. Without Batman to stop him the city is overrun by criminals. Batman eventually escapes, climbing out of the prison with a new sense of spirit, and defeats Bane. The bomb is set to go off, and Batman decides to fly the nuclear bomb out into the bay and presumably dies in the process.

There you have it- the entire plot in 165 words.

Next I want to dissect the main characters.

First off, we'll start with Batman. This man, Bruce Wayne, is a god. He is introduced crippled, having leg problems, invents a brace for his leg, and still fights as Batman. When he is beaten by Bane, he trains his body to escape and reface him. In this movie we still have that theme that Alfred gave us in the first movie- "Why do we fall down? So we can learn to pick ourselves up." After watching the first two movies, you know a majority of this character already, and truthfully not much has changed. He is still the same caped crusader who feels that Gotham city needs a hero, a symbol if nothing else, to get Gotham on its feet and where it needs to be.

Alfred Pennyworth, as we know him as Bruce's butler, continues his character development. In the first movie you see a butler fully supportive of Batman, even to a point of ordering the materials necessary to make certain gadgets. In the second movie, you see a slow transition, where Alfred is still supportive of the Batman idea, but is also taken aback by the injuries and begins to nurture the Bruce Wayne side.  In this installment, we see a complete change of Alfred into the 100% Bruce Wayne side of life, trying to get Bruce to hang up the cowl completely.



Lucius Fox is sort of the opposite of Alfred. If you follow his role in the movies, you see the opposite progression. In the first movie he is a mere employee, coincidentally filling a role in a department that Bruce Wayne has taken interest in. His interests lie in Wayne, and it's not until the end of the movie that he makes it clear he has interest in what Bruce has been doing. In the second movie, you see the progression of the Batman favoring, while still conducting business deals for Bruce, he also comes up with ideas for Batman. At the end of the second movie, we see him say that he is resigning from Wayne Enterprises if the Batman contraption is still in the building. In this last installment, we see a Lucius loyal to Batman. Still holding a position at Wayne Enterprises, he still builds the gadgets that Batman uses, including the new "The Bat" hovercraft.

Bane is the new villain to the movie, serving as the main antagonist throughout 95% of it. Bane is a large man with muscles galore, and to top it off he has a contraption fixed to his head that is constantly numbing pain. The man can, and did, take many blows from many sources, including Batman, only to continue fighting as though he was getting attacked by ladybugs. Bane's story comes from a subplot of Ra's Al Ghul, where the child Ra's left in the pit (an underground prison) was left defenseless, and Bane protecting the child. Bane was also the reason the child escapes up the wall, a feat only accomplished by the child, and later Bruce Wayne.

Catwoman/Selina Kyle- Catwoman plays the same role that she does in anything else you've seen her in. She's a cat burglar, making a quick steal for a quick buck. We're introduced to her as she first steals Wayne's fingerprints; a plot tie-in to the take-over of Wayne Enterprises so ultimately Miranda Tate can be in control of the nuclear reactor. She's in this movie as her usual expected anti-hero, ultimately after the goal of a program that will wipe her crime history slate clean. Unfortunately, this incarnation of Selina Kyle doesn't sport her collection and infatuation with felines, but rather just jumps on the moniker of Catwoman with her reflexes and goggles, which form cat-ears on her head when not in use.

Miranda Tate/ Talia Al Ghul- Miranda Tate is a brand new character introduced to this movie, much like Bane, but has a dual identity that reveals into a well-known character. For the first segment of the movie, Miranda is a business woman interested in taking hold of Wayne Enterprises reactor as an energy source. After the reactor gets stolen so Bane can threaten Gotham with the nuclear explosion, Miranda sits on the sidelines, appearing in scenes with Lucius and throwing out hints and minor conversation. It's not until Bane's life is threatened that she surfaces to reveal herself as Talia Al Ghul, the daughter of Ra's Al Ghul (the main villain in Batman Begins) and the child that escaped from the pit the first time. It was Talia's plan to destroy Gotham, not Bane's, as Bane is merely her protector and has been pulling the strings from the get-go, using her business to get close enough to the reactor.

John Blake- John Blake is also a new character to the series that, much like Miranda Tate, assumes one identity and then becomes a well-known symbol towards the end of the movie. Blake is a police officer and an orphan. Being an orphan and understanding the facial expressions and feelings of Bruce, he approaches Bruce with an assumption and deduction that Bruce Wayne is Batman. Blake plays the role of the detective cop in this movie, where he does his own work outside of the main force and is recognized by Gordon early on. This recognition merits conversation with Batman, which by the end of the movie Batman recognizes Blake as a hero. The identity switch happens at the very end of the movie, where not only does Bruce leave Blake with the Batcave, but it is also revealed that Blake's real name is "Robin".

Then of course there's some return characters. There's The Scarecrow in this movie, playing the role of the judge in Bane's twisted rule of the city, determining the fate of Gotham's heroes to choose between death and exile. There's the return of Ra's Al Ghul, and although Liam Neeson doesn't have a ton of screen-time, his only appearance gives Bruce the inspiration necessary to leave the pit. And lastly, of course we have Gordon, who spends most of the movie recovering in the hospital after being shot in the sewer.

My thoughts: I felt the movie was very long. I didn't particularly enjoy an almost 3-hour movie minimal action versus the massive amounts of dramatic threats, but there were some neat scenes. The football stadium sequence was fantastic (When bane takes the football field out from underneath a game; you saw it happen in the trailer!) and the overall effects were done really well. Even outside of my comic knowledge, I felt there was some major cheese moments, and the movie's closing sequences could've been cut out (particularly Robin). Finally, I propose a perspective posed to me recently from a friend, Bill- Did Alfred see what he saw, or saw what he wanted to see?




On behalf of the staff here at Geek Asylum we just want to say we are horribly saddened by the tragedy that befell the community of Aurora, Colorado on the night this movie was released. It pains us to see this type of tragedy and acts of pointless violence committed against any innocent people.  This type of violation of human rights and safety will always stay in our hearts. The families and friends of victims of this tragedy are in our hearts and prayers. Whether you were watching an excellent film, reading an amazing comic, or simply enjoying an epic trilogy, we hope that you can find the time at the beginning, time in the middle, or even a moment at the end to be thoughtful of people who were only looking to find the same enjoyment that you were. Stay strong.

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Cartridge Chronicles: Super Mario Bros. 1,2, & 3

Perhaps the most iconic face of gaming, and the title that literally put gaming back on the map, is none other than the fat, lovable plumber, Mario. Mario actually got his name from Shigeru Miyamoto’s landlord at the time. For those of you noobs who don’t know who Shigeru is, he is the guy that not only created Mario, but also Zelda, Donkey Kong, and many more of our favorite Nintendo pals. In the words of Ron Burgundy, he’s “kind of a big deal”. But I’m not here to talk about Shigeru Miyamoto and his illustrious career and vast fortunes, I am here to talk about my favorite video game of all time, the first Super Mario Bros (or SMB for short), and its two sequels on the NES, SMB 2 and SMB 3.

To this day, there is no video game in my life’s 23 year span that I have played more times than the original Super Mario Bros. It is also a game that over the years I have gotten down to a science and can literally beat in 10 minutes or better. The easiness to pick up, the fluid controls, and the downright fun and replayability make this game tops in my book. If I have some time to kill and I’m feeling nostalgic, I will plug in that old game cartridge, remove it, blow the dust off of it, and repeat until I stop getting either a flashing blue screen or pixilation. Once the technical difficulties are over, which occur with literally any other game on the system, it is time to play. One thing I really love about the original SMB is the ability to cheat and use warp pipes, which is admittedly the way I beat the game so fast. Since learning the locations of the warp pipes I actually can’t remember the last time I played on level 1-3.

Second on my list is SMB 2. This game was not only frustrating to me as a child because of its seemingly never ending gameplay and ridiculously hard levels at about world 3, but because it was nothing like its predecessor. There is, however an explanation for this. The real sequel to SMB was only released in Japan because marketers believed the game to be too repetitive of the first SMB and they also felt it was too difficult for American players. So what was Nintendo’s solution to this dilemma? Nintendo used another game they had already released and pasted the Mario characters in it. Yes, you heard me, the game was called Doki Doki Panic and literally the only difference between SMB 2 and Doki Doki was the sprites of the main characters. The characters went from some Arabian guys to Mario, Luigi, Peach, and the useless Toad. The music, enemies, and levels all stayed the same, including the main bosses. The SMB 2 that we know in America was released in Japan as Super Mario USA. We would not see the true SMB 2 until Super Nintendo came along and released Super Mario All-stars, in which Japans SMB 2 was labeled Mario: the Lost Levels.

Last but certainly not least, and possibly my second favorite game of all time, is SMB 3. This game brought Mario fans back to a familiar gameplay style. No more picking plants from the ground or unfamiliar enemies. This game brought back the enemies we came to know and love from the first SMB, but this time, Mario has an arsenal of outfits that give him various powers. Some features are a little ridiculous such as the frog suit or the giant shoe, but even though picking up a feather and turning into a flying raccoon doesn’t make any sense, the game was pretty epic. The worlds now had an overview map and bonus areas such as Toad’s little huts, memory games, and match up games (which I fail hard at). My favorite part of this game is the music. Some of the most memorable Mario music, aside from those of SMB 1, came from this game. My personal favorite track is the flying ship music. It is one of the toughest games I own on the NES and I am proud to proclaim that I have, in fact, beaten it. My heart raced as I battled Bowser in the final castle and when I beat him I felt like I had run a marathon. The sense of accomplishment was immeasurable.

Mario’s adventures thankfully did not end with the NES, he would go on to make many, many spinoff titles and sequels, which are still being made to this day. He, along with his buddies Link and Donkey Kong, have stood the test of time and prove that oldies are definitely still goodies. Even though there are games with epic graphics that are more difficult with longer storylines, I still feel the need to take a step back and play SMB. It is one game that never seems to get old, no matter how old I get.

-Rob Franzese

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WWE Raw Wrapup 8/6/2012

We're getting further into the three hour Raw era.  How WWE fills this air time is going to determine their business moving forward - whether they stick with a three hour format or go slinking back to two after realizing that the same content across another hour was a poor choice.  Or maybe they come to a realization that people would happily see the superstars of NXT in the first hour of Raw?  Nah.

Raw opens with its new General Manager, AJ Lee skipping down to the ring in a suit.  Odd contrast.  AJ immediately announces Big Show vs Randy Orton for tonight.  Daniel Bryan will face John Cena.  AJ starts to announce match #3, but CM Punk's music hits to interrupt and bring the WWE Champion out.  Punk says he lives with no regrets and is man enough to know when he has made a mistake.  Punk wants to right a wrong from last week that he cannot take back - He lost his temper and wants to apologize to AJ for screaming at her to close the show.  Punk continues that the Raw GM, just like the WWE Champion, should not be disrespected.  AJ accepts the apology and Punk says they can be friends and he can help her fix mistakes, like the triple threat WWE Title match for Summerslam.  AJ switches to sassy smile face and says Punk is right - She is new at this, but the triple threat is not a mistake.  Her decision, and the match, stands.  CM Punk asks if this is revenge for turning down AJ's marriage proposal?  Punk says he's willing to take Big Show or Cena on in a singles match, and this draws John Cena to the ring.

Cena says that Punk has become "one of those guys" that comes out week after week demanding respect.  Cena tells Punk to earn respect instead of demanding it.  Cena answers a "Let's go Cena/Cena sucks" chant by saying he fights for respect.  John tells AJ she smells great and introduces himself.  Well, he IS divorced...Punk blames Cena for being jettisoned into him at commentary last week.  Punk will not be disrespected by anyone.  Punk says he saved Cena's life - No way he's strong enough to deliver an Attitude Adjustment to Big Show!  (what?)  Cena reminds Punk that champions don't do well in triple threats and Big Show interjects himself into the conversation.  AJ says things are not going to get out of hand on her show - Cena and Show need to save their aggression for their opponents tonight.  Punk says he should be in the main event tonight.  AJ says he has a match, but she doesn't know against whom - that decision lies with the WWE Universe and Raw-action via Twitter.  The crowd immediately starts an "HBK" chant.  The choices will be The Miz, Kane and Rey Mysterio.  AJ says voting starts now because the match is next.

Fair enough, well handled and AJ shows that she won't be pushed around.  Problem?  CM Punk, the WWE Champion, opens the show as usual.  The good part of this is that it's not just ludicrous "pro-cena" booking now; it's part of a storyline, fueling Punk's change of heart and attitude.  Which makes it perfectly fine.  Anything that furthers storylines, as opposed to being odd booking, is a good call.

Jerry Lawler stands up at ring side and says that the winner of the Twitter voting is...Rey Mysterio!

Match 1:  CM Punk (WWE Champion) vs Rey Mysterio, non-title
Winner:  CM Punk via pinfall

A renewal of a rivalry from the last time CM Punk was a foul-mooded gent.  The vocal crowd is strongly behind the champion.  Rey grabs at the leg to start out, but Punk transitions to a hammerlock.  Mysterio hits a jumping snapmare and kicks to the leg.  Rey whips Punk to the ringpost and runs in after him, but comes empty, allowing Punk to take charge with a scoop slam and leg drop for a two cout.  Punk settles right into a headscissors on the mat.  Rey rolls out but runs into a tilt a whirl backbreaker for two.  Punk delivers a belly to back suplex and heads to the top rope, but Rey dropkicks him off and to the floor.  Mysterio is on the apron and delivers a diving senton to Punk on the floor - Michael Cole somehow calls this as "off the second rope", which makes not a lick of sense.  Both men on the floor, so we're off to a commercial.

Back to action, both men are on the mat, but Rey is first to stir.  Mysterio heads to the top and lays forearms into Punk's chest from above.  Punk is dragged to the middle rope, but delivers a mongolian chop and hits a superplex for a near fall.  Punk continues with a bodyscissors that Mysterio tries to fight out of, but gets a bevy of elbows to stop the comeback.  Lawler says that Punk is wearing the "young man" down; apparently anyone short is young to The King.  Punk throws Rey to the floor, but he lands on his feet and hops up to the apron to fight back.  Mysterio hits a senton from the top and Punk tries a sunset flip, but Mysterio rolls through and tags him in the head with a kick for two.  Rey kicks his way out of a corner, but ends up in a fireman's carry; Rey avoids the GTS and lands a 619, then heads to the top rope, but lands on Punk's knees off the splash.  Punk scoops him up and hits Go To Sleep to win. 

 

Nice to see Punk go over Rey clean; no garbage, no nonsense.  Rey is always the underdog who manages to pull it out in the end, so Punk getting this win is a good sign.  Solid match, if not a bit expected - Mysterio can only do so much anymore and he's definitely doing his damndest to not get injured yet again.

Alberto del Rio arrives and gets a special parking spot for his car.  Ricardo hops out to let him out of the driver's side and ADR shoves him off, telling him they need to get going.

Wade Barrett appears in a vignette, to reintroduce him.  A focused contrast between his ability to speak well and his bare knuckle fighting background.  The Barrett Barrage returns soon.

AJ is in her "office" and del Rio enters to brown nose a bit.  ADR reminds her that he shouldn't have to compete before Summerslam.  She says she had nothing planned and ADR says he was worried AJ would do something "crazy".  AJ's face shifts and she decides to put him in a match tonight; so much for not competing before Summerslam!

Match 2:  Christian vs Alberto del Rio
Winner:  Alberto del Rio via submission

Christian is in the ring as Raw comes back from commercial, which means only Alberto gets his entrance.  Ricardo rushes out from the back to give del Rio his entrance and sells being out of breath, hence a much shorter "Albertooooo" than normal.  ADR finishes taking his dress clothes off as he emerges.  These two really can be incredibly entertaining when they just let them a little loose.  Christian opens up with slaps and punches in the corner, but Alberto bails to the floor and drags his opponent out, then throws him into the ring post and the barricade.  Back into the ring, Christian kicks out in one and ADR goes to work on the arm.  Christian fights out of an armbar, but gets a headbutt and single arm DDT for his trouble.  Christian fights back with his good arm with a forearm and a slap to the face.  Christian hits a top rope cross body and wants to follow with the Killswitch, but ADR kicks him.  Christian avoids the double knees to the arm with a jackknife pin, but ADR takes back over, ultimately whiffing a top rope back senton.  Christian bounces in the corner, wanting the Spear, but del Rio tags him with a kick to the jaw on his way in.  Christian avoids the Cross Armbreaker with a Killswitch attempt, but ADR fights out of that as well.  Ricardo runs interference, allowing Alberto to crack Christian with his boot (after taking it off his foot) and slap on the Cross Armbreaker for the win. 

Sheamus appears on the Titantron and says that ADR was right - Sheamus is beneath him.  Sheamus wants to class up his act.  Ricardo apparently left the keys in the car.  Sheamus gets in and says he's going sight seeing.  Sheamus proceeds to steal Alberto del Rio's car.  Now that's not what "good guys" do!  Good, straight forward match and a different ending, with ADR taking off his own boot as a weapon.

Match 3:  Randy Orton vs Big Show
Winner: No contest - Double countout

Orton ties up with Show and gets tossed backwards, then takes body blows in the corner.  Big Show tells the crowd to shush for a frying pan chop and Randy Orton punches his way out of the corner.  Orton with mounted punches in the corner, but Show shoves him off, then delivers a side slam.  Show says that Orton is in over his head and delivers a headbutt, then says this is "too easy".  Orton fights back with right hands, but runs into a back elbow.  Big Show settles into a chinlock, but Orton quickly fights to his feet and gets boots into the face of Show.  Orton hits two clotheslines, then dropkicks Show off his feet.  Randy coils up on the mat, wanting an RKO, but Show hits a surprise Chokeslam.  Orton is out at two and rolls to the floor.  Show lifts Orton to the apron, and he drops Show across the top rope.  Orton slides in, but Show shoulder tackles him right back out, then follows to the floor.  Orton tries to fight back, but Show keeps control and rolls him into the ring.  Show wants another Chokeslam, but Orton kicks away at the midsection - He ends up driven over the top rope by his neck to the floor.  Show chops Orton on the commentary table, then tries to slam Orton into the ringpost, but ends up taking it face first.  Show counters an RKO on the floor with a spear and both men end up counted out. 

Show is first to his feet and is angry.  Show rolls Orton back in the ring and wants the WMD; Orton ducks and hits an RKO.

So the crowd goes home happy, getting to see an RKO.  But in the same moment, they take a man who has been a monster obstacle for everyone in the company and show him get bested by one man who has been out of action for two months.  Doesn't really make sense, but who doesn't love seeing an RKO?

Match 4:  Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins vs Ryback
Winner:  Ryback via pinfall

Ryback has another busted up eye - He had the same thing a couple months ago.  Ryback explains that his hunger consumes him and it is never satisfied, in an old-school inset promo.  Nice change of pace for him.  Reks opens aggressively, but takes a huge powerslam.  Reks escapes a second one and tags in Hawkins, who runs right into the pinning boot of Ryback.  Reks gets tagged in accidentally and tossed in forcefully.  Hawkins runs distraction and Reks hits two big boots and a huge clothesline.  Hawkins tags back in and keeps the attack going.  Reks quickly tags in again and clubs away.  Another quick tag and a double gourdbuster for a one count.  Hawkins with a chinlock on Ryback, who fights up quickly and tosses Hawkins to the mat.  Reks grabs the foot from the floor and Ryback ends up back body dropping Hawkins over the top onto Reks.  Hawkins gets thrown back in and takes a huge spinebuster and lariat.  Time to "finish it" and Ryback takes Hawkins up for Shell Shocked.

Quick tags back and forth made the match a bit different than a normal Ryback 2v1.  Not quite sure why Hawkins and Reks aren't used as the tag division is reinvigorated.  Both guys are solid in the ring and they actually look like a tag team.  Ryback is dominant as always.

Match 5:  Primo and Epico vs Primetime Players
Winners:  Primo and Epico via pinfall

AW does the usual intro for PTP.  Young jaws at the Colons and gets dropkicked for his efforts.  Titus opens aggressively on Primo and tags in Young.  A double shoulder block keeps the control with PTP.  Primo gets back dropped in the corner, but does a headstand on the middle turnbuckle for a headscissors counter.  Young carries Primo to the corner and tags in O'Neil who throws Primo across the ring.  Titus now chokes Primo in the ropes and delivers a big front slam.  Young tags in and Titus gives him a gourdbuster onto Primo.  Young puts Primo in a chinlock and rips at his face.  Primo gets to his feet and counters a belly to back suplex, but can't make it to his own corner for a tag.  Young stops another attempt with a powerslam for two.  Primo fights out of a corner and rolls to tag Epico, who opens up on Young with a flurry.  Epico hits a triple belly to back and Titus drags Young to the floor.  AW says that PTP have had enough and the Tag Champs' music hits, bringing them out to block the way.  Young ends up chasing Epico into the ring and Epico hits a Backstabber while Young jaws at Kofi and Truth.  It's good for the win. 

Fun tag match and AW managed to not put his foot in his mouth this week.  PTP continue the "running away" gimmick and the Tag Team Champions show that they don't approve.  The Colons get a win, which makes this the most active tag division in a long time.

A video recaps Damien Sandow getting beat up by DX at Raw 1000 and Sandow's follow up, beating up Brodus Clay.  Sandow says he will not stand for foolishness or ridiculous activity, so he will dispose of Brodus Clay.  We're welcome.

Match 6:  Damien Sandow vs Brodus Clay
Winner:  No contest

As Clay dances out, Sandow clips his knee from behind and attacks.  Clay tries to fight back, but Sandow stays on him and the knee.  Sandow works to injure Clay, stomping the knee off the entrance ramp.   The refs break it up and attend to Brodus while Sandow gloats.  Sandow tells Clay that he did this to himself.

AJ is in the back with a contemplative look on her face.  Daniel Bryan is sitting across from her and AJ says he has anger management issues.  Bryan blames AJ leaving him at the altar.  Bryan says he's calm now; he agrees with the decision to have him face Cena tonight.  Bryan says if he beats Cena tonight, the triple threat at Summerslam should be a fatal four way.  AJ says that Bryan will face Kane at Summerslam.  He says no, she says yes.  Well then...what the hell's his motivation to not cheat or get himself disqualified here?

Match 7:  Kelly Kelly vs Eve Torres
Winner:  Kelly Kelly via pinfall

Kelly hasn't been on Raw for a couple months and her taking on Eve randomly is kind of...well, random.  Eve pushes K2 to the side and goes to leave, but Kelly drags her back in and lays in with a Thesz press, then bashes Eve's head into the turnbuckle.  Next is the handspring back attack and an attempt at a stink face leads to Eve bailing from the ring.  Kelly gives chase and whips Eve into the barricade.  Kelly heads to the top rope and hits a cross body for two.  Kelly tries to counter in the corner with a headscissors, but Eve piefaces her into the mat, then chokes her in the ropes, drawing an unnecessary scream from Kelly.  Cole talks about Eve's jiu-jitsu accomplishments, which unfortunately never gets integrated into her wrestling repertoire.  Eve settles into a chinlock and Kelly screams bloody murder.  Kelly comes "off the ropes" (she definitely didn't work on this with all that time off, which is a shame) and hits a hurricanrana pin for the win.

Same old sloppiness from Kelly and Eve doesn't use her jiu-jitsu knowledge in the wrestling ring.  Guess you need these matches to keep the division alive.

HBK, Shawn Michaels approaches the ring and struts and poses as only he can, delighting the San Antonio crowd.  Lawler and Cole give him a standing applause; Cole's heel nature has definitely been toned down in recent weeks and it's welcomed.  HBK talks up Raw 1000 and the DX reunion.  HBK says that the locker room is abuzz with talk of HHH vs Lesnar.  Before Shawn can get any further, Lesnar's music hits and Lesnar and Heyman head out.  Lesnar has no idea how to get in a ring and NOT hop around like he's about to fight.  Heyman says it's not surprising that people want to hear HBK's opinion on Lesnar vs HHH.  Heyman says HBK is the best in-ring entertainer in WWE history.  Heyman says that Shawn's opinion on this one isn't valid:  Lesnar won't be an entertainer at Summerslam, he's going in for a fight.  Michaels says that he's not here to dispute Lesnar's attributes.  Any other time, Lesnar would be the guy - This time, however, they made it personal and attacked his kids and wife.  They messed with HHH's family.

HBK says he'll give his opinion, whether Heyman wants it or not.  Shawn sides with HHH in light of how personal this has gotten.  Michaels says he wants to be at Summerslam to see the outcome personally - Michaels will be in HHH's corner.  Heyman says this is the clip that will be played when people analyze the end of HHH's career.  Lesnar takes the mic from Heyman and says that the only reason HBK thinks HHH can take him is because Shawn has never been in the ring with him...until now.  Lesnar closes in on Michaels and HHH comes out, hands taped.  Lesnar laughs it off and steps to the apron, grabbing the mic from Heyman.  Lesnar says he'll see HHH at Summerslam and he'll see Michaels before then.  People have been expecting Lesnar to take Shawn Michaels out at some point to get HHH over the breaking limit for this fight.  Now they extend the possibility of that for another week, building interest and suspense.  Good!

Michael Cole plays a Tout from Sheamus at the Alamo with Alberto del Rio's car.  This is the best use of Tout WWE has managed so far.  Much better than random reactions from people that speak in catchphrases.

Match 8:  Alex Riley vs Dolph Ziggler
Winner: Alex Riley via pinfall

Chris Jericho is on commentary and immediately trash talks Cole - Already a winning segment.  Vickie Guerrero enters to introduce Ziggler like only she can.  Ziggler struts and shows off to start.  Alex Riley overpowers Ziggler early on.  Cole goes over Jericho's inability to "win the big one" since returning in January.  Ziggler forces Alex Riley into a corner and lays into him.  Ziggler jaws at Jericho from the ring and Riley is able to fight back, but runs into a perfectly placed dropkick to the face.  Ziggler continues on with his jumping elbow.  Riley tries to fight back again, but Ziggler kicks him to the mat.  Ziggler continues pounding Riley who fights back with a hip toss into a neckbreaker.  Riley tries to tackle Ziggler in the corner, but runs into the ringpost.  Ziggler hits a neckbreaker and imitates Jericho's "cocky pin".  Jericho stands on the table and says he'll film the action and Tout it.  Riley schoolboys Ziggler and gets the three.

It's a shame that a cool move like Riley's hip toss into a neckbreaker went completely unnoticed by the commentary team, but it was for the greater good as Jericho jawing at and distracting Ziggler was the focus of the segment.  This feud is great even before it gets in the ring.

Match 9:  Kane vs The Miz (Intercontinental Champion), non-title
Winner:  Kane via pinfall

The two men not selected to face CM Punk earlier tonight face one another, much higher on the card.  Ok.  Kane opens up aggressively, as usual.  Miz dodges a boot in the corner and clips the knee, then keeps on it.  Miz escapes a slam attempt and continues on the knee, then hits a snap DDT.  Miz pounds on Kane in the corner and Kane fights out with a shot to the face.  Miz hits a low dropkick to the leg off the ropes, then kicks Kane in the face.  Kane fights out of a chinlock and takes Miz off his feet with a right hand.  Kane with a big scoop slam and low dropkick for two.  Kane clotheslines Miz in the corner and wants another, but misses.  Miz wants the Skull Crushing Finale; Kane counters, but gets dropkicked in the knee, sending his head into the turnbuckle.  Miz runs at Kane in the corner and ends up taking snake eyes.  Kane with a Chokeslam.

Kane beats a champion clean, but Big Show and Randy Orton fight to a double countout?  Sure.  Kane with a bit of momentum heading toward Summerslam and his match with Daniel Bryan.

Sheamus returns del Rio's car, smoking, with food and leaves all over it, borderline destroyed.  Sheamus, you're supposed to be a good guy, that's not nice!

Match 10:  Daniel Bryan vs John Cena
Winner:  John Cena via pinfall

So Daniel Bryan has switched t-shirt, entrance and catchphrase just in time for THQ's WWE '13 to be out of date.  Just like every year.  Del Rio finds his car and blames Ricardo, then leaves him to clean up.

Cena and Bryan tie up and have a clean break.  Bryan takes exception to a "Lets go Cena/Cena sucks chant" saying this is about him.  Bryan hops to the floor and jaws with the crowd.  Bryan slides back in and runs into a hip toss and chinlock from John Cena.  Bryan breaks out but runs into a shoulder block and a headlock takeover.  Bryan fights up from a headlock and transitions to an arm wringer.  Bryan forces Cena to the mat, using control of his shoulder.  Cena stands up and sends Bryan to the ropes, who bails from the ring.  Bryan runs back in as Cena gives chase and delivers a low dropkick, sending Cena crashing to the floor.  Bryan measures from the apron and hits his jumping knee.  As they go to commercial, Bryan gives a front row fan a thrill and gets in a No/Yes argument with him.

Back to action, Cena is fighting out of a hold, but takes a kick.  Bryan delivers kicks in the corner and lands the running dropkick for two.  Bryan stays on the attack, but takes a back body drop off a reversed whip by Cena.  Cena tries to follow but gets a drop toe hold into the turnbuckle, then the rope kicked into his face for another near fall.  Bryan with a grounded hammerlock, but Cena fights up and out.  Bryan escapes an Attitude Adjustment attempt and lays Cena out with another kick. 


Back to the hammerlock now and Cena gets to his feet again.  Cena starts the comeback routine and hits shoulders and a spin out bomb, calling for the Five Knuckle Shuffle and landing it.  Cena wants the Attitude Adjustment, but Bryan shifts to a guillotine.  Cena drives Bryan into the corner, but can't break the hold.  Cena drops to his knees, but stands up with Bryan in hand and rams him into the corner, this time breaking the hold.  Cena with a drop toe hold, but Bryan escapes the STF.  Now a big kick to the head from Bryan for two.  The crowd chants "yes" and Bryan starts to lose it.  He heads to the top rope and hits a diving headbutt clear across the ring for two.  Bryan is teasing a bit of insanity as he contemplates how to end this.  Bryan with kicks to the chest of a kneeling John Cena.  Cena counters the headshot kick and locks in an STF in the middle of the ring.  Bryan counters right into the newly dubbed Nolock.  Cena powers out and deadlifts Bryan up to his shoulder, then into a fireman's carry for the Attitude Adjustment and the win.

CM Punk's music hits before Cena can celebrate and he heads right for the ring.  Punk holds the WWE Title up in front of Cena.  Cena shoves Punk to the side as Big Show heads to the ring.  Cena tries an Attitude Adjustment, but Punk hits Show, sending both men to the mat.  They're harping on John Cena "not being able" to deliver an Attitude Adjustment to Big Show.  I really hope that's not foreshadowing for Summerslam.  Punk gets on the cans and tells Jerry Lawler that Raw ends with CM Punk standing tall as WWE Champion.  Punk tries to kick Big Show to punctuate the night and gets his leg caught, leading to a WMD.  Cena gets to his feet and gets a WMD of his own.  Last week?  CM Punk stood tall.  This week?  Big Show does the same.  Next week?  Bet your money that John Cena gets the best of Punk and Show.

Now this was a good three hour Raw.  The focus all night was action and moving programs forward.  Damien Sandow continues to focus on Brodus Clay, the champions were in action and the social media was kept to a happy minimum.  If this is the pattern we can rely on, then three hour Raw might not be such a bad thing.  Glad to see that AJ hasn't been stripped of her personality in her new position and that her existing relationships with wrestlers are taken into account on the show.  The WWE Championship picture is now strongly zeroed in on CM Punk's anger and jealousy that he does not main event shows as a champion.  Even tonight he was the first match, while John Cena main events against one of CM Punk's rivals.  Interesting to see a chief complaint of the "internet fan" addressed as part of a story line, since that sect of fans tends to get ignored in the bigger picture.

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Thou Shalt Kill With Finesse: Homage to Sam Fisher

Thou Shalt Kill With Finesse
Spoilers for the Splinter Cell franchise follow!

Over the years gamers have logged onto whatever game that they may be playing to chop down, cut out, slaughter, massacre, and whatever else adjective you can think of to convey the word for "kill" the virtual enemies that have plagued us for so long. In current games the developer gives us an insane amount of choice as far as taking down our prey with a variety of weapons in our kick-ass arsenal. Well I am here today to pay homage to one secret agent that has haunted my victims nightmares and does it with an impressive amount of finesse. I am speaking of course of the one and only Sam Fisher.

For years he has been lurking in the shadows and hanging from pipes, waiting for the perfect time to deliver the killing blow and liberate an entire nation in one fowl swoop. And with Splinter Cell Blacklist just being announced and all I figure this is the perfect character to kick this column off with. I have been playing Splinter Cell since the very fist one and have been loving every second of it.

Now, Sam is a very tortured character in the world of gaming. He has given 3rd Echelon (the agency that he used to work for) everything and anything at the drop of a hat...including his very own daughter. However, that was the last straw and Sam got pissed! Really, really pissed! In Splinter Cell Conviction, Sam was single handidly responsible for bringing down an organization that tore his own life apart. And Sam does this with extreme prejudiced!

Sam is the good guy that goes bump in the night, Sam is the one responsible for our good night sleeps and is on call round the clock to make sure that the boogie man never even makes it to under our beds. He has mastered the way of killing with finesse and making it look easy.

In addition to all of that, in the new game, Splinter Cell Blacklist, the president gave Sam full reign of 4th Echelon; successor to 3rd Echelon. In Blacklist, a terrorist group has gained access to list of names that could compromise our very national security. So, naturally it is Sam's job to get these list of names back and do it in the most bad-ass way possible!

In the video below there is the E3 demo showing off the new killing in motion mechanic that is brand new to Splinter Cell. This new mechanic bring the mark and execute that was introduced in Conviction to a whole new level. In addition to marking and taking down your targets, you can now move and interact with your environment while you do it. Not only does this add a whole new level of gameplay (and a breath of fresh air quite frankly) to the Splinter Cell franchise but its looks freaking awesome while you it as well. Splinter Cell Blacklist hits shelves on during Q2 of 2013.

Sam Fisher is getting old. But not too old to kick the ass of ultra-national terrorists and look good while doing it.

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Cartridge Chronicles: A Look Back At Vintage Gaming

Retro is a word we use in today’s society to describe something that is old and no longer part of today’s standard but is still considered cool. Video gaming is one of those categories that consider the oldies as still very much goodies. Perhaps the most iconic video game system that has ever graced our geeky childhoods was none other than the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES for short.

Before the NES was created, video game systems were hard to obtain due to cost and the graphics were…well…basically your character was like a dot. The colors were flat and so was the gameplay. The game art on the box made every game look epic, even circus Atari. This, however, was not the case for every game (no pun intended). The NES greatly improved on the limited graphics of systems like Atari 2600 or Intellivision, making a more entertaining, fluid, and visually appealing game. The NES started on solid ground with one of my all-time favorite video games, and a game that has not only stood the test of time, but has launched a franchise that still lives to this day, Super Mario Bros. If it weren’t for the Super Mario Bros. and the NES, I am almost positive video games would have never made it this long and I would not be sitting here talking to the masses about being a gaming geek.

It was 1988, my first Christmas, when my family purchased the NES. The massive box came with the NES, two controllers, a gun, a run mat, and a cartridge containing the games Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt, and World-Class Track Meet. My earliest memories playing the NES were with my older brother in the basement playing Mario Bros. 3 and being afraid of the ghosts that chased you. The castle in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade also freaked me out. It was lucky my brother was there to complete these parts of the games or else it would have been game over for me. The NES not only provided some great games, it also brought my brother and I together. It bridged the 10 year gap between us and we always joked that we were the Mario Bros.

Since the NES’ time, gaming has made amazing strides that I still can’t believe. The realness of a video game was only a pipe dream (yet another unintended pun) back in the early 90’s. Gaming has changed for the better, and worse. For the pluses more and more people are getting into video gaming because of the entertainment value they provide and the realness makes you feel like you are participating in a movie. The one downside of today’s gaming that really gets me is that my brother who I look up to still to this day, and showed me the way of video gaming, can no longer play them because of headaches related with motion sickness. This is perhaps why the NES will always hold a special place for me. It was the first system that I ever played and it was one of only 3 that I was able to play with my brother where we were on an equal gaming level.

Once a week I will be picking one iconic video game from gaming’s history and doing a personal review on it both on the front of gameplay and entertainment value. I will be starting with my favorite NES games. Some titles to look forward to are Super Mario Bros 1, 2, and 3, The Legend of Zelda, Castlevania, Metroid, and many others.

-Rob Franzese

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Redlaw, Real Innovation with Vampires.

One look at the cover of this book and you see a really pissed off individual.  That individual is John Redlaw, or if you look it could be Ray Winstone or Mickey Rourke but who knows.  The reasons that Redlaw is so angry are explained in great detail on the pages between these red covers.  I know though that if Redlaw was privy to the horror show that the modern vampire sub-genre has become he would be just as angry.  Vampires are monsters, not sexy.  They aren't Edward Cullen (it disgusts me to call him a vampire) they aren't rednecks, they don't run around hanging out with their brothers.  They are monsters created as a monster to be a monster.  Sometimes that monster is given an attractive shell to make them a better hunter.  It is called a disguise, or a piece of evolutionary work at play.

James Lovegrove delivers another masterpiece with Redlaw here taking a new approach to the overdone vampire theme.  Instead of lovers he made a sub-class.  A caste system where Vampires are equivalent to that of untouchables.  They are confined to ghettos and treated very poorly by humans.  John Redlaw is a member of SHADE which is a police organization set to monitor the activities of the vampires.  SHADE is in existence to protect both vampires and humans alike.  Where things tend to get crazy is that this book is really not a vampire book after all.  That is the beauty of Redlaw.  The book is an attack on politics, policies, the treatment of middle class individuals, and how corporate greed, money and power are the driving force behind any government issued program.  Only those passing the laws actually care who is benefited and who suffers from policy.

Redlaw finds these things out through a string of very unpleasant situations.  He is removed from the force, uncovers a Vampires Lord (or lady) that is a bit more evolved than her dead counterparts, learns about the origin (or possible origin) of vampires and later discovers he has been back stabbed more times than a comic book hero teaming up with a villain.  Everyone is responsible for one form of betrayal or another and Redlaw has to go against his normal self and operate outside the law.

Our hero here does some pretty amazing feats himself in this book.  He undergoes some heavy abuse and keeps on rocking and fighting.  It is almost inhuman or superhuman but so far Lovegrove has not hinted that Redlaw is anything more than a human who was all fired up on adrenaline and anger.  Regardless of the origin of Redlaw's crazy physical ability we must give poetic license where it is due.  Taking Redlaw and making him a little above the rest isn't something that really is going to bother me when the idea and plot is so fresh and new.  New plot old genre. New spin to an old horse, (I don't even know if that reference makes sens).  Vampires were becoming dull and I can't even begin to do justice to the amazing details that Lovegrove put into this story to make it as wonderful as it was written.  From food supply, to light, housing to treatment Lovegrove is a master story teller and his brilliance shines through yet again

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WWE Raw Wrapup 7/30/2012

Raw 1001 will set the tone for Raw as we continue into the three hour era.  Tonight, CM Punk addresses his actions from last week, AJ begins her new role as General Manager and John Cena makes 12 year olds happy.  Earlier tonight there was a pyrotechnic mishap and the Titantron caught fire.  People filed in late, but that's got pretty much no bearing on the show itself...or maybe it's an omen.

A recap video of last week's Raw 1000 plays to open the show; they're absolutely getting mileage on this video.  The video of course ends with CM Punk's attack on The Rock, which will lead to Punk's show opening promo about his actions.  For the record, the video ends 8 minutes into the show and the WWE Champion makes his entrance.  Crowd is still receptive, if not a tiny bit of boos mixed in.

CM Punk says that everyone wants their "Wrestlemania Moment"; last week, he had a "Raw Moment" that was bigger than some Wrestlemania Moments.  Punk will explain last week, but he wants to say something first.  Punk was uncomfortable with the way Raw 1000 ended, with Jerry Lawler yelling "CM Punk has turned his back on the WWE Universe".  Punk gives Lawler a stern look, then steps to the floor and approaches the commentary booth.  Punk swings his legs over and sits cross legged on the table, directly in front of Lawler.  Punk says he's used to hyperbole on commentary, but that was a huge jump.  If anything, it was Lawler who turned his back on Punk - The Rock is not the WWE Universe.  The Rock is one man, who came in and showed the WWE Champion a lack of respect.  First off, he interrupted Punk with his shtick, ignoring the Champ.  Then he "lowers himself" to address Punk and acts as if he'll just take the title from him.  Punk showed him respect afterwards by not hurting him.  At the end of Raw 1000, The Rock tried to make it all about himself; which is when Punk showed him the type of man he's dealing with.  This is not a popularity contest, it's the WWE and Punk is it's champion (this draws a very mixed reaction).  Now The Rock has "found his silence" and Punk says he knows what that means.  Punk says every episode should end with the focus on the WWE Champion, just like last week.  Right on cue, to disobey the champion saying nobody should interrupt him, Big Show's music hits and he heads toward the ring.

Punk returns to the ring to meet him with a determined look on his face.  Punk wants the music off.  Big Show says it's not hard to steal the spotlight from CM Punk.  Yes, at the end of Raw 1000, the focus was on Punk, but the episode itself was all about Big Show.  He's the one that cost Cena the title and his Money in the Bank briefcase.  Show says if Punk is the best in the world, how come he couldn't beat Cena after he was knocked out?  Big Show vows to be the next WWE Champion.  This amuses Punk, who says Show always loses lately.  The conversation draws John Cena at a full sprint to the ring.  Cena lays into Big Show, who shoves him off and bails from the ring.  Apparently, since AJ is the General Manager, they use her surname - The announcer welcomes AJ Lee out.

AJ is here to announce the main event of the evening:  Big Show vs John Cena.  The winner faces CM Punk at Summerslam for the WWE Championship.  Cena is livid with Big Show, Big Show is happy to bail and AJ has made a logical booking choice.  If you're going to open Raw without actual wrestling, this is the way to do it.  Punk doesn't outright say that his actions last week were due to his jealousy of not being in the spotlight, even as Champion, but that definitely seems to be the path they're taking.

Daniel Bryan is in the back, teasing knocking on the Raw GM door, but he walks away.

Match 1:  Santino Marella (United States Champion) vs Alberto del Rio, non-title
Winner:  Alberto del Rio via submission

No car for Alberto tonight due to the Titantron fire; he enters from the stage.  Santino opens with rights, but del Rio levels him with a clothesline, then follows with repeated boots.  Santino fights back, but gets caught by a headbutt and snap suplex.  Del Rio follows with a jumping stomp, then backs Santino into a corner and strikes at him.  Santino dodges in the opposite corner and backdrops ADR to the apron, then dropkicks him to the floor, leading to commercial.
  
Del Rio is working the arm as Raw returns.  Santino fights to his feet, but quickly gets leveled by del Rio, who follows with a double stomp to the midsection.  More boots to Santino, followed by an armbar.  Santino fights to his feet yet again, but ADR wants a headlock; Santino counters with a saito suplex.  Santino now lands jabs and a forearm and does the splits to lead to a hiptoss; del Rio kicks him while he's on the mat to put a stop to the attempt.  Del Rio hops to the middle rope and tries a double stomp, but comes up empty.  Santino pulls out the Cobra, but gets booted and thrown into the ringpost.  Del Rio with double knees to the arm and rolls over into the Cross Armbreaker.

I feel like I've seen ADR make Santino tap for weeks now; much longer than an average Santino match.  Perhaps an attempt to give a little bit of prestige back to the US Championship?  Del Rio stands over Santino, mic in hand and says he destroyed the US Champion without issue.  Santino Marella is beneath ADR, as is Sheamus.  All of the WWE Universe are beneath him.  ADR says if a match is not for the World Heavyweight Title, he will not compete; he says he will not compete until Summerslam.  Interesting twist, but we'll see ADR in some form in the coming weeks, even if it's not official matches.

Daniel Bryan approaches the Raw GM door once again but can't bring himself to knock. 

Back from commercial, Brodus Clay's dancers are mid-routine.  First time that they haven't televised Clay's entire intro.  Vickie Guerrero asks if they really call that dancing, because it looks like a disgrace.  Vickie wants the little girls to step aside so that the "queen diva" can show her how to dance.  Vickie repeats her dance contest moves.  This is not a good sign; we're already filling time and we're one hour into a three hour Raw.  Damien Sandow's music hits and I, for one, am thrilled to have him stop this.  Sandow introduces himself as the martyr of the WWE Universe, after the actions of Degeneration X last week.  Sandow immediately attacks the knee of Brodus Clay and begins to beat on him.  Sandow delivers his knee strikes and pounds him on the mat.  He breaks Brodus's gold chain, which of course, means war.  Sandow seems quite content with his actions - Good sign to have him beating up Brodus Clay unopposed.  Sandow just needs longer matches to show what he can really do in the ring, since he has his character down to a science.

A recap of Dolph Ziggler mouthing off to Chris Jericho on Raw two weeks ago, followed by Ziggler not cashing in on Sheamus on Smackdown.  Tonight, Chris Jericho and Christian team against Mr. Money in the Bank Dolph Ziggler and the Intercontinental Champion The Miz.  That certainly seems to point to a face turn for Jericho.

Bryan barges into the GM's office and AJ says it's nice to see him.  Bryan sasses her and asks if she's insane; AJ tells him to shut up.  She's not his bride-to-be anymore, she's his boss.  AJ mentions the men in white coats that were scurrying about in the back prior to the nuptials last week that Bryan was conferring with.  Bryan says he was committed to AJ; he wasn't going to commit her.  AJ says she'd like to start with a clean slate; Daniel Bryan has a match with Sheamus tonight.  Bryan asks if it's for the World Heavyweight Title and AJ says no...no...NO.  NO.  NO!

The same recap of HHH/Heyman/Lesnar that was played on Smackdown is shown.  Glad to see we've made more time to recap previous shows.  We're over an hour into the show and we have one real match and one quick in-ring fracas.  Not good.

A WWE poll is to take place on Twitter via hashtags to determine the type of match Bryan and Sheamus will have:  No holds barred, Falls Count Anywhere or Street fight.  Those are all pretty much the same match, so although the fans get to make a "choice", nobody has to make much of an adjustment.  Sheamus says he's happy to see that the power was put in the hands of the fans, then asks if Striker if he feels alright tonight, as he looks nervous.  That must be some foreshadowing.

Match 2:  Daniel Bryan vs Sheamus (World Heavyweight Champion), non-title Street Fight
Winner:  Sheamus via pinfall

Bryan wants the WWE Universe to stop chanting YES, only he can chant YES.  The crowd chants YES at him and he screams NO back.  With the hobo beard and the yelling at the crowd, it's entirely possible that they're building toward a minor insanity angle with Bryan.  AJ mentioned the men in white from last week, maybe they eventually catch up with Daniel?

Lawler grabs a mic and says it's time to reveal the Twitter poll results:  A Street Fight.  Bryan immediately opens with a running knee and kicks to the chest.  Sheamus fights back with big rights and lefts.  Bryan backflips over Sheamus from the corner, but runs into a tilt a whirl backbreaker, which Michael Cole calls the Irish Curse.  Bryan drop toe holds Sheamus into the middle turnbuckle, then kicks the rope into the face of the World Heavyweight Champion.  Bryan drops a knee to the back of the head and bars out the arm of Sheamus.  Sheamus powers out and away and strikes back at Bryan, then follows with a back elbow.  Sheamus with repeated knee drops and a cover for two.  Bryan is deposited on the floor and Sheamus follows, then throws him into the barricade.  Sheamus continues by throwing Bryan into another barricade.  Bryan kicks at Sheamus, but ends up taking a back body drop onto the steel ramp.  Sheamus fights Bryan up to the stage and throws him into the WWE symbol.  Bryan recovers and knees Sheamus in the head, then dropkicks the knee.  Bryan delivers kicks to the chest then a running dropkick, which sends Sheamus off the stage to the floor.  Bryan follows with a running knee from the stage to the head of Sheamus.

Back from break, Bryan has Sheamus in an armbar back in the ring.  Sheamus powers up to his feet and delivers elbows to the face of his opponent, but runs into a knee to the gut.  Bryan dropkicks Sheamus to the floor and tries another running knee, but gets caught and takes a fallaway slam into the barricade.  Bryan ends up in the timekeeper's area, which allows Sheamus to bend him backwards over the barricade and deliver forearms to the chest.  Sheamus then suplexes Bryan back to the main floor area.  Sheamus rolls Bryan into the ring and gets out a chair and kendo stick.  Bryan tosses both objects out of the ring, but gets clotheslined to the floor where they landed.  Sheamus gives chase, but gets a kendo stick shot, then more to the arms and midsection in the ring.  The crowd chants YES with each strike.  Bryan grabs the chair and sets it up in the opposite corner (rule of thumb:  If you set it up, you're gonna get hurt by it!).  Sheamus counters a kendo stick shot and headbutts Bryan away.  Sheamus lays into Bryan with the kendo stick, but Bryan dropkicks him into the corner, where he hits his head on the prone chair - That's rare, since Bryan was the one who set it up.

Bryan is on the floor with the steel chair, but Sheamus bowls him over with a shoulder block, then whacks him with the chair.  Sheamus disassembles the steel steps and picks Bryan up, but he escapes.  Sheamus lifts Bryan again, but he slides down Sheamus' back and pushes him shoulder first into the ringpost, while upside down...very cool.  Bryan puts the stairs in the ring and then whips Sheamus into the barricade.  Bryan throws Sheamus into the ring, then readies the stairs for use.  Bryan wants the kendo stick, but Sheamus grabs the other end.  Sheamus uses the stick to drag Bryan in and lifts him for a fireman's carry.  Sheamus steps onto the stairs, wanting White Noise, but Bryan escapes and pushes him off, but Sheamus returns with a surprise Brough Kick, landing Bryan on the stairs.  Sheamus drags him flat to the mat and pins him.

Excellent street fight.  The champion comes out on top, Daniel Bryan is made to look incredibly tough.  I'm usually pretty against a random Brough Kick to end Sheamus' matches, but this was all around well done.

Back from a commercial break, Bryan is still on the mat but gets his hands on a mic.  Bryan says he hurt his neck and needs a doctor.  He screams NO into the mic and fights off the refs who are trying to help him.  To be fair, if his neck was actually hurt and these dumbass refs were jostling him around, that would be a major problem.  Given that he's crawling around the ring on his side, his neck seems pretty fine to me.  A replay of the open of the show plays, which is necessary, because we all know that we can't remember what happened an hour ago.  Bryan is still asking for a doctor, and Kofi Kingston's music hits, bringing out the Tag Team Champions.

Kofi says he knows that Bryan is having a rough time, but he should just leave.  R-Truth makes a rhyme.  Bryan laughs and addresses Little Jimmy in the corner, then place kicks him clear out of the ring.  Truth is visibly distraught.  Bryan says that Truth is out of his mind and he needs to go.  Men in white come toward the ring for Truth and AJ enters the scene.  She says that Truth isn't the one who needs help; it's the little guy in the ring.  AJ says that Bryan seems a bit mentally unstable tonight and in the interest of a safe working environment, he needs a psychiatric evaluation.  Bryan comes face to face with AJ with a livid look in his eye, but continues to the back.  Well, I called that one!

Courtesy of http://ilovewrestlinggifs.tumblr.com/

Friday night, Mr. McMahon will name the new General Manager of Smackdown.

R-Truth sits Little Jimmy in a chair next to the commentators. 

Match 3:  Kofi Kingston (1/2 of the Tag Team Champions) vs Titus O'Neil
Winner:  Titus O'Neil via pinfall

Classic speed/agility versus power.  Titus takes quick control, but Kofi fights back with boots and a cross body, but gets caught and driven across Titus' knee.  Titus tosses Kofi around, but he tries to fight back.  Titus with a scoop slam for one.  Titus settles on a chinlock, but Kofi slips out, only to get pounded back to the mat.  Titus holds Kofi and tries a slam, but Kofi swings himself out and lands a DDT.  Kofi hits double chops to the chest followed by a dropkick and a jumping clothesline.  Kofi lands the Boomdrop and Darren Young hops on the apron.  Truth takes out Young, AW hops on the opposite side and screams "Yo mamma" at Kofi then throws his shoe at him.  Kofi throws the shoe back at AW, but turns around into Clash of the Titus.

The heels cheat and deceive, but a win is a win.  We'll soon see Primetime Players vs Kofi and Truth for the tag titles, likely at Summerslam.

CM Punk is in the back with Cena, saying he was close to the ropes last week.  He admits that he took advantage of Show's interference.  Punk says he has no issue with Cena, but he is always brutally honest:  He doesn't wish Cena luck.  Punk's new "brutal honesty" will be the angle that gets him into fights moving forward, as Cena looks about ready to deck him one.

Michael Cole apologizes for AW's remarks during the last match, where he made a joke in poor taste.  This is where we're at as far as immediate apologies?  Sad.

Match 4:  Heath Slater vs Randy Orton
Winner:  Randy Orton via pinfall

Now that the legends have gone back to the retirement home, it's time for Slater to get his career back on track.  He is challenging any current superstar to come out for a match.  Randy Orton's music hits to bring back the Viper.  Orton has shaved clean and lost some muscle mass.  Slater opens up aggressively, but runs into a pair of clotheslines and a snap powerslam.  Orton puts Slater on the apron and readies for the spike DDT; he connects.  Orton coils, ready for the first RKO in two months and strikes.

Pretty standard "welcome back" match for a star, consisting of mainly his signature spots.  Orton is all smiles after the match; not sure what the plan might be for him moving forward.

Daniel Bryan is in the back, and he doesn't want to answer questions.  He's in a small room with a "doctor".  Bryan answers a flurry of questions with YES's, then YES's at nothing with a psychotic look on his face.  Should be interesting to see where this goes; perhaps a ploy on his part to get people to stop chanting YES, as he told the crowd not to do so earlier tonight.

Match 5:  Chris Jericho and Christian vs Dolph Ziggler and The Miz (Intercontinental Champion)
Winners:  Chris Jericho and Christian via pinfall

Interesting dynamic:  Two veterans against two younger guys, one a champion and the other a future champion (in theory).  Ziggler and Christian start out and Ziggler shows off by out wrestling him.  Christian slaps Ziggler then delivers a flapjack for one.  Ziggler fights back and tags Miz in, who runs into a double leg takedown and a flurry of punches; Miz immediately tags back out.  Christian tags Jericho in, and Ziggler tags Miz in.  Jericho delivers a hip toss and clothesline for one.  Jericho with a scoop slam and elbow drop for another quick nearfall.  Jericho with a chop into the corner and another one for good measure.  Jericho chases Miz in the opposite corner, but runs into a boot.  Miz tags Ziggler back in, who delivers rights to the head.  Jericho runs Ziggler over with a shoulder.  Jericho ends up on the apron and quickly ascends the top rope to deliver an axe handle.  Ziggler and Miz end up on the floor and Christian delivers a cross body from the top to the floor on both men, leading into a commercial.  Wasn't that how Christian hurt his leg and lost his title a week ago?  And for that matter, his leg is all healed up already?

Back to action, Jericho is fighting out of a chinlock.  Jericho rolls Miz up for two, but takes a clothesline for two on the other side.  Miz settles back into the chinlock, but Jericho delivers a belly to back suplex.  Tags on both sides and Christian delivers clotheslines to Ziggler and a forearm.  Christian springs to the floor and delivers a right, then a second rope back elbow.  Christian wants the Killswitch, but Ziggler throws him to the corner.  Christian lands a kick and a springboard sunset flip for two.  Christian fights out of the enemy corner but ends up taking a Ziggler dropkick to the mouth for two.  Ziggler tags Miz in, who lays stomps and a boot to the face of Christian.  Miz chokes the former IC champ in the ropes and Ziggler lands a cheap shot.  Miz slingshots Christian into the bottom rope and gets a two count.  Miz goes back to the chinlock and Christian fights to his feet.  Christian tosses Miz to the floor.  Christian wants a tag, but Miz drags Jericho off the apron, leading to Ziggler and Miz both stomping Christian in their corner.  Ziggler tags back in and lands his jumping elbow drop for two on Christian.  Ziggler with a chinlock of his own and a headstand.  Christian fights up to his feet yet again, but falls victim to a neckbreaker.  Ziggler wants the Fameasser, but completely misses:  Safe to assume there was a miscommunication there.  Ziggler resets to try again and Christian hits a sitout powerbomb, which he should have hit 20 seconds ago.

 Somebody had a brainfart here - Courtesy of http://ilovewrestlinggifs.tumblr.com/

Tags on both sides and shoulders from Jericho, then a springboard dropkick to Ziggler on the apron.  Jericho lands a facebuster and the Lionsault, but Ziggler breaks up the pin attempt.  Christian hits the spear on Ziggler, but gets tossed to the ringpost by Miz.  Jericho grabs Miz and wants the Walls of Jericho, but Miz spins out and boots Jericho right in the face.  Miz wants the Skull Crushing Finale, but Jericho counters.  Miz ends up in the corner next to Christian - He delivers a thumb to the eye of The Miz to return the favor from Smackdown and Jericho hits the Codebreaker for the win.

Ziggler cracks Jericho with the briefcase from behind, leaving him out on the mat.  The Ziggler/Jericho program will continue, and everybody should be happy about that.  It can only lead to good matches and good things for Dolph Ziggler moving forward.

Daniel Bryan is still in the back with the "doctor", ready to take a Rorschach test.  Airplane, crown, space ship.  The space ship is a goat, which sets Bryan off on a tirade.  He says if anything is "goat" about him, it's that he's the greatest of all time.  Bryan asks if Charlie Sheen has put the doctor up to this and goes off on another tirade.  I still absolutely abhor the idea of Daniel Bryan's in ring talent squandered on a celebrity feud, but brink-of-insanity Bryan is looking to be incredibly entertaining.

Match 6:  Tensai vs Tyson Kidd
Winner:  Tensai via pinfall -> Reversed to Tyson Kidd via DQ

Tensai doesn't get an intro, but Kidd does.  That's always a good sign.  Kidd lands kicks and an enzuigiri, but runs into Tensai's shoulder, then gets avalanched in the corner.  Tensai slingshots Kidd into the middle rope and drops two elbows.  Tensai now pounds the back of the head and slaps on a nerve hold.  Kidd fights to his feet and kicks Tensai in the head, then rolls him up for two.  Kidd lands another enzuigiri from the apron, then lands Code Blue for two.  Kidd keeps on Tensai, but ends up taking a choke bomb and senton.  Tensai pins him.

Tensai continues to attack Kidd after the match.  Tensai lands a backbreaker drop and the ref reverses his decision.  Tensai takes his aggression out on Sakamoto, who seems all too happy to get his ass beat.  So Kidd was allowed to let loose in this match a bit, even landing what is sometimes his finisher.  Tensai still comes out on top, but is technically the loser.  Weird feud, but Tyson Kidd absolutely deserves time on Raw, so it's welcome.

Back to Bryan and the doctor:  Bryan has been found to be bitter and ill tempered, but sane.  Bryan is free to go.  The lights go red and Kane grabs Bryan by the throat, saying he's Bryan's anger management therapist, then tosses him around the room.  Daniel Bryan is having a terrible week.

CM Punk heads to the commentary table for Raw's main event.

Match 7:  Big Show vs John Cena, Number one contender's match
Winner:  No contest

Punk says he doesn't care who wins this match tonight.  Big Show jaws at Punk while he awaits the arrival of John Cena.  Punk says he was too close to the ropes to have tapped to the STF last week.  Punk is very snappy and indignant with Lawler; definitely a more aggressive WWE Champion.  He says that he doesn't appreciate Rock showing up once in a blue moon to soak up some spotlight.

Cena opens up with rights on Big Show, but takes a shot to the gut and sells it like death.  Cena can only do "out cold sell" or "no sell"; there's just no middle ground for him.  Show whips Cena to the corner and follows ass-first.  Big Show with another big shot to the gut, followed by a headbutt.  Show continues with a frying pan chop in the corner then one in the opposite corner.  Cena dodges a third and tries a sleeper hold, turning Big Show bright red.  Big Show backs into a corner to break it and then tries a crossbody, but gets caught.  Big Show throws Cena, but ends up back in the sleeper.  Show drops to his knees as Punk and Lawler verbally spar.  Cole is calling the action in a straight forward fashion.  We are officially in bizarro Raw.  Show "passes out" and Cena pins him for a two count, but gets tossed out to the floor, which he once again sells like a stab wound...

Back from the default "guy on outside" commercial, Big Show is in charge.  Cena fights back with rights and tries a running shoulder block, but bounces off of Big Show.  Show steps on the midsection of Cena.  Big Show once again whips Cena to a corner and chases with an ass attack.  Show tries it one more time, but Cena gets his feet up.  Cena comes back to life and strikes Big Show with karate movie back fists and shin kicks, then runs into a Big Show bearhug.  Cena elbows out and tries to scoop slam Big Show, but ends up crushed beneath him.  Show calls for the Chokeslam, but Cena counters into a DDT on a 450 pound man that somehow made no sound and had no impact.  It boggles the mind.

Cena gets to his feet again and runs into a side slam.  Big Show heads to the second rope for a Vader Bomb, but comes up empty.  Cena lands a diving shoulder and leads to the Five Knuckle Shuffle.  Big Show gets to his feet and lands the Chokeslam, but Cena kicks out at two.  Cena ends up on the floor, crawling away from Big Show.  Cena gets back in the ring, then gets punched right back out.  Show wants to slam Cena into the ringpost, but Cena slips down the back and slams Show face first instead.  Cena rushes Big Show, but gets tossed clear over the commentator's booth and into CM Punk.  John Cena barely beats the 10 count and rolls into the ring.  Big Show signals for the WMD punch and Cena ducks, then lifts Big Show for the Attitude Adjustment.  Punk attacks from behind, causing Cena to drop Big Show, then delivers a kick to the skull of Big Show, leaving Punk the only man standing.

Punk grabs a mic and declares nobody to be the winner - They're both losers.  Punk heads to the back, passing AJ.  AJ says they're not losers; they're both winners.  At Summerslam, CM Punk defends against Big Show...and John Cena in a triple threat match.  Punk says AJ can't do this to him and demands that AJ show him respect, so she grins right in his face.

So the predictions were true:  We get an extra hour of TV, but barely any extra wrestling.  I don't think anyone really expected it, but most were hoping for it.  Nice to see Tyson Kidd on TV, entrance and all, even if it meant a loss and oddly continued feud with Tensai.  Randy Orton returns to beat up a punching bag.  Nothing else of enormous consequence.  Hopefully there's something better in mind for Bryan than a feud with Charlie Sheen.  Not a terrible episode, but I'd be much happier with two hours of TV and not seeing the same recap three times in one episode.

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